Delray Beach man, 105, returns to West Point

City of Delray Beach/Courtesy

Lt. Gen. William Ely, World War II Army veteran and longtime resident of Delray Beach, was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Almost 85 years after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, the 105-year old three-star general was invited to return to West Point and take part in the school's alumni review.

Lt. Gen. William Ely, World War II Army veteran and longtime resident of Delray Beach, was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Almost 85 years after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, the 105-year old three-star general was invited to return to West Point and take part in the school's alumni review.

When retired Lt. Gen. William Ely, a World War II Army veteran and Abbey Delray South resident, graduated from West Point in 1933, a loaf of bread cost 7 cents, the national Prohibition had just ended and the board game Monopoly was recently invented.

At 105, Ely is now the only remaining graduate from the class of 1933 and the New York military academy's oldest living graduate. The three-star general was invited back to West Point in May to participate in the school's alumni review.

He led a parade of nearly 4,000 cadets and laid a wreath at the Thayer Statue near the parade field. He also inspired cadets by encouraging them to remember what they have learned during their time at West Point.

"It was a big surprise to be able to attend this," said Ely, who was an avid golfer who won 10 championships before giving up the sport at age 100 in 2011. "My family made transportation available for me. Next year would be my 85th reunion if I was able to go."

Ely, who was awarded the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star, according to the Defense Department, started his journey at West Point with a leap of faith.

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"I was going to Carnegie Tech and saw an offer at West Point for $100 a month," he said. "I ended up making an appointment and the rest is history. In 1929, the Depression hit and money was hard to come by, so this offer of $100 a month was a dream come true. I'm so glad I did it. I had 33 years of wonderful service."

Ely looks back on his West Point days with gratitude.

"I'm as proud of West Point now as I was in my day," he said. "In my day, we were basically all studying the same thing, and now they can go 40 different directions as they plan their curriculum. Doctors, lawyers and other amazing leaders will emerge from this class. I was in the Corps of Engineers."

Merrill Beveridge, who has cared for Ely, is proud of her humble hero.

"I'm like a daughter to him and visit with him every day," she said. "He's a wonderful man who did a 45-minute interview while he was at West Point."

Upon graduating from West Point, Ely was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. His work included military construction in which his engineering unit was responsible for building the entrance channel of the Naval Air Station Midway Island, which aided the U.S. Navy in defeating Japanese forces during World War II.

"He is a remarkable person on so many levels—dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, successful businessman and elite soldier," Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein said in a statement. "Lt. Gen. Ely has led a profound life of service to our country and to others. I am honored to call him a friend and that he calls Delray Beach home."

Ely advises new and future West Point graduates to stay focused.

"I remember it was a really wonderful academy and the pressure was continuous, so you must be driven," he said. "There were 346 graduating members of my class and now the graduating class has 960 members in it. It's a completely different world now. Women weren't allowed to attend back then and that changed in 1976. I think it was a logical and important move to include women. The demands of a military education are high but so are the rewards."